Photos of NASA's Last Space Shuttle Launch

After 30 years and 135 missions, residents and visitors to Florida's Space Coast crowd the new A. Max Brewer Bridge in Titusville to see the rocket's red glare of NASA's Space Shuttle Program soar for the last time on July 8, 2011.

Guests Line NASA Causeway for Atlantis Launch

Credit: NASA/Frank Michaux

After 30 years and 135 missions, invited guests congregate along the NASA Causeway to see the rocket's red glare of NASA's Space Shuttle Program soar for the last time, on July 8, 2011

Spectators in Boats View the Atlantis Launch

Credit: NASA/Frank Michaux

After 30 years and 135 missions, residents and visitors to Florida's Space Coast traverse the waters near Port Canaveral to see the rocket's red glare of NASA's Space Shuttle Program soar for the last time, July 8, 2011.

Atlantis Lifts Off

Credit: Roger Guillemette for SPACE.com

Shuttle Atlantis is seen a few moments into its final flight on July 8, 2011.

Last Shuttle Crew Waves Farewell

Credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

Dressed in their bright-orange launch-and-entry suits, the final four astronauts to launch aboard a space shuttle wave to media and employees cheering them on in front of the Astronaut Crew Quarters in the Operations and Checkout Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida on July 8, 2011. From left, are STS-135 Mission Specialists Rex Walheim and Sandy Magnus, Pilot Doug Hurley, and Commander Chris Ferguson.

A View from Above

Credit: NASA Kennedy (via Twitter)

The space shuttle Atlantis' last launch on July 8, 2011 is seen from above through the window of a Shuttle Training Aircraft.

Close-up of Atlantis' Launch

Credit: Roger Guillemette for SPACE.com

Atlantis just clears the tower in this closer view of the launch on July 8, 2011.

Shuttle Atlantis Launches on Mission STS-135

Credit: NASA

Shuttle Atlantis launched on mission STS-135 July 8, 2011.

Atlantis Clears the Tower

Credit: NASA TV

Shuttle Atlantis clears the tower, July 8, 2011.

Elmo Talks with NASA Astronaut Mike Massimino

Credit: NASA/Paul E. Alers

NASA astronaut Mike Massimino, left, and Sesame Street's Elmo speak at the STS-135 Tweetup on July 7, 2011 at Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Elmo asked the astronauts questions about living and working in space.

Atlantis' Solid Rocket Boosters Separate

Shuttle Atlantis at Launch Pad

The space shuttle Atlantis stands poised for its final liftoff from Launch Pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla.

Space Shuttle Atlantis on Launch Pad 39A

Credit: NASA/Troy Cryder

Space shuttle Atlantis is revealed at Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39A following retraction of the pad's Rotating Service Structure on July 7.

Bright Lights, Last Space Shuttle

Credit: NASA/Frank Michaux

Space shuttle Atlantis, attached to its bright-orange external fuel tank and twin solid rocket boosters, is bathed in xenon lights and takes center stage on Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida in this aerial image taken from a NASA helicopter in the predawn hours just before launch on July 8, 2011.

Lightning Strikes Near Shuttle Atlantis on Launch Pad

Credit: NASA

A pair of lightning strikes occurred near the space shuttle Atlantis on Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center on July 7. The first struck the water tower 515 feet from the pad and the second struck the beach area northeast of the pad. Early data indicate no issues with the shuttle or its systems. Credit: NASA

After 30 years and 135 missions, residents and visitors to Florida's Space Coast crowd the new A. Max Brewer Bridge in Titusville to see the rocket's red glare of NASA's Space Shuttle Program soar for the last time on July 8, 2011.

Guests Line NASA Causeway for Atlantis Launch

Credit: NASA/Frank Michaux

After 30 years and 135 missions, invited guests congregate along the NASA Causeway to see the rocket's red glare of NASA's Space Shuttle Program soar for the last time, on July 8, 2011

Spectators in Boats View the Atlantis Launch

Credit: NASA/Frank Michaux

After 30 years and 135 missions, residents and visitors to Florida's Space Coast traverse the waters near Port Canaveral to see the rocket's red glare of NASA's Space Shuttle Program soar for the last time, July 8, 2011.

Atlantis Lifts Off

Credit: Roger Guillemette for SPACE.com

Shuttle Atlantis is seen a few moments into its final flight on July 8, 2011.

Last Shuttle Crew Waves Farewell

Credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

Dressed in their bright-orange launch-and-entry suits, the final four astronauts to launch aboard a space shuttle wave to media and employees cheering them on in front of the Astronaut Crew Quarters in the Operations and Checkout Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida on July 8, 2011. From left, are STS-135 Mission Specialists Rex Walheim and Sandy Magnus, Pilot Doug Hurley, and Commander Chris Ferguson.

A View from Above

Credit: NASA Kennedy (via Twitter)

The space shuttle Atlantis' last launch on July 8, 2011 is seen from above through the window of a Shuttle Training Aircraft.

Close-up of Atlantis' Launch

Credit: Roger Guillemette for SPACE.com

Atlantis just clears the tower in this closer view of the launch on July 8, 2011.

Shuttle Atlantis Launches on Mission STS-135

Credit: NASA

Shuttle Atlantis launched on mission STS-135 July 8, 2011.

Atlantis Clears the Tower

Credit: NASA TV

Shuttle Atlantis clears the tower, July 8, 2011.

Elmo Talks with NASA Astronaut Mike Massimino

Credit: NASA/Paul E. Alers

NASA astronaut Mike Massimino, left, and Sesame Street's Elmo speak at the STS-135 Tweetup on July 7, 2011 at Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Elmo asked the astronauts questions about living and working in space.

Atlantis' Solid Rocket Boosters Separate

Shuttle Atlantis at Launch Pad

The space shuttle Atlantis stands poised for its final liftoff from Launch Pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla.

Space Shuttle Atlantis on Launch Pad 39A

Credit: NASA/Troy Cryder

Space shuttle Atlantis is revealed at Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39A following retraction of the pad's Rotating Service Structure on July 7.

Bright Lights, Last Space Shuttle

Credit: NASA/Frank Michaux

Space shuttle Atlantis, attached to its bright-orange external fuel tank and twin solid rocket boosters, is bathed in xenon lights and takes center stage on Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida in this aerial image taken from a NASA helicopter in the predawn hours just before launch on July 8, 2011.

Lightning Strikes Near Shuttle Atlantis on Launch Pad

Credit: NASA

A pair of lightning strikes occurred near the space shuttle Atlantis on Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center on July 7. The first struck the water tower 515 feet from the pad and the second struck the beach area northeast of the pad. Early data indicate no issues with the shuttle or its systems. Credit: NASA